The speaker of the California Assembly has filed a legal brief with the U.S. Supreme Court asking the justices to overturn the state’s constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage. He also discussed the federal sequestration cuts.

In his friend-of-the-court brief known as an "amicus" brief,
Speaker John Pérez argues voter-approved Proposition 8 prevents him
from passing bills at the State Capitol.

"Proposition 8 clearly inhibits my legislative role, preventing
me and my peers from moving forward legislation on marriage
equality - although clearly, we would like to do so if we were
allowed," he says.

Unlike other state constitutional amendments - which Pérez says
simply set rules for how money can be spent - the speaker says Prop
8 deals with the fundamental right of marriage.

President Obama has also filed an amicus brief opposing Prop
8.

Oral arguments at the Supreme Court are scheduled for late
March. The justices could rule that same-sex marriage is
legal or illegal throughout the country. Alternatively, they
could issue a more narrow ruling that deals solely with California
based on the legal challenge to Prop 8.

Sequestration's Timing "Absolutely Horrible" for
California

Meanwhile, Pérez says the automatic federal budget cuts known as
sequestration come at a terrible time for his state's fragile
economy.

The speaker rattled off a list of potential cuts to
California, such as reductions to education and social programs,
and furloughs or layoffs for tens of thousands of federal
employees. He says that could stall California's economic
recovery.

"We've turned the corner. We're building our way out of
the worst recession in the history of the state and the worst
recession in the history of the country. This could not come
at a worse time, and we're hopeful that Congress will work with the
White House to avoid sequestration or any long-term impacts
thereof," he says.

On Thursday, the Assembly passed a Democratic-supported
resolution that calls on Congress to pass a "balanced" approach of
spending reductions and tax increases to avoid the sequester
cuts. Republicans criticized the measure as political
posturing.